How far is Highland, IN from Elkhart, IN?

The driving distance from Highland, IN to Elkhart, IN is about 89.2 miles (143.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 76.7 miles (123.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
89.25 mi
01h 49m
Flight
76.72 mi
123.47 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Highland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
76.72 mi
Kilometers
123.47 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
89.25 mi
Kilometers
143.64 km
Drive Time
01h 49m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elkhart
Wed, Apr 22, 9:43 PM EDT
Return by in Highland
Wed, Apr 22, 10:33 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Highland
2026-04-22T18:54
Arrive Elkhart
Wed, Apr 22, 8:43 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:50 AM to 12:50 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:50 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Highland
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Smith
IN

Unincorporated community in Indiana, United States

From Highland
44.6 mi
00h 54m
To Elkhart
44.7 mi
00h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph N
Destination
75°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Highland and Elkhart.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Highland and Elkhart.

  1. 1

    Start on Parrish Avenue

    8 m · 4 sec · Parrish Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Ridge Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Ridge Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Cline Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Cline Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80, I 94, US 6: Chicago, Detroit

    1289 ft · 22 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Detroit

    1.6 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Borman Expressway

    9.5 mi · 13 min · Borman Expressway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East, I 90

    1.4 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East, I 90 East: Ohio, Indiana Toll Road East

    1438 ft · 49 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

    70.6 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Indiana Toll Road

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 19: Elkhart

    1.2 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    568 ft · 21 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Cassopolis Street

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Cassopolis Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East Bristol Street

    1269 ft · 29 sec · East Bristol Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West Franklin Street

    1453 ft · 38 sec · West Franklin Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Pletcher Court

    89 m · 17 sec · Pletcher Court

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Pletcher Court

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Highland and Elkhart.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
17 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Indiana Toll Road
70.6 mi · 79%
Borman Expressway
9.54 mi · 11%
Cassopolis Street
2.23 mi · 2%
I 80 East
2.12 mi · 2%
North Main Street
1.31 mi · 1%
Ridge Road
1.02 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Indiana Toll Road

Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

70.6 mi · 01h 17m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.5 mi
76.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Smith
00h 54m from Highland
Leave By
2:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Highland and Sunny near Elkhart.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Highland to Elkhart?

The road trip is about 89.2 miles (143.6 km) and usually takes 01h 49m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Smith is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.6 miles from Highland and 44.7 miles from Elkhart.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 76.7 miles (123.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.88 one way or $23.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Highland and Elkhart, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Highland and Sunny near Elkhart.

Stop Ideas Near Smith

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Smith, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Smith.

RAIL

New Buffalo, Michigan

10 mi away
517 South Whittaker Street
RAIL

New Buffalo

11 mi away
226 North Whittaker Street
RAIL

Michigan City

20 mi away
100 Washington St.
RAIL

South Bend station

32 mi away
2702 West Washington Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Highland and Elkhart. Straight-line distance: 76.72 mi (123.47 km).

Highland

#1 Highland

Town in Lake County, Indiana, United States

Population22,283
Coordinates41.5536500, -87.4519800
Altitude190
CountryUnited States
Elkhart

#2 Elkhart

The most populous city in Elkhart County, Indiana.

Population52,172
Coordinates41.6819900, -85.9766700
Altitude229
CountryUnited States
Start: Highland (-87.45198, 41.55365)
End: Elkhart (-85.97667, 41.68199)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 144 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.15 gal
11.92 L · about $11.88
Round trip
$23.76
6.3 gal · 23.84 L
Estimated CO2
28 kg one way
Round trip: 56 kg / 123 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.88 $23.76
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.40 $26.79
Premium $4.65 $14.66 $29.32
Diesel $5.30 $16.71 $33.42

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Indiana · Apr 22, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Highland, IN and Elkhart, IN. The current time in Highland is 18:54:21, although it is 19:54:21 in Elkhart.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.